Ex-cop who allegedly hacked several family members granted bail

Last Updated on Friday, 13 November 2015, 23:08 by GxMedia

CHIEF Justice Ian Chang Friday granted bail to ex-policeman Shawn Maltus Fordyce, who allegedly went berserk back in 2013 and chopped several members of his family.

Fordyce had been on the run from police ever since the incident until recently when he was arrested in commercial Georgetown.

Fordyce was released on GUY$300,000 bail after he was further remanded to prison when he made his second court appearance at Sparendaam Thursday before Magistrate Zamilla Ally. He will return to court on December 3, 2015.

Last October 21, Fordyce, 42, of Lot 132 ‘D’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was not required to plead to the indictable charge when he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, East Coast Demerara, before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell.

The accused, who has been evading police ever since he carried out the chopping spree in August 2013, was finally picked up on the corners of Church and Alexander Streets in mid-October.

The charge read to him said on August 1, 2013, at ‘D’ Field, Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara, he wounded Wanda Fortune, Dorothy Blackman-Fordyce, Donnette Fordyce, and Latoya Wilson, with intent to murder them.

Police Corporal David Goodridge had vehemently objected to Fordyce’s pre-trial freedom on the ground that he will tamper with the witnesses. According to him, Fordyce had issued treats to some of the virtual complainants that harm will befall them if they failed to accept compensation and proceed to give statements to the police. Goodridge said Fordyce told the individuals that he knows where they live and work.

A second ground Goodridge offered the court was that Fordyce would not return for his trial once sent on bail. The prosecutor pointed out that this is due to the fact that he has been on the run for more than two years now. This accused, Goodridge said, has been evading police every time they attempted to apprehend them.

Furthermore, Goodridge said the virtual complainants live in fear for their lives and that it is expected that Fordyce will commit an offence of an even greater magnitude should he be set free.

Meanwhile, Police had issued a wanted bulletin for Fordyce more than two years ago when he had allegedly launched a cutlass attack on his wife and three children in their Sophia home. An argument had reportedly developed between the attacker and his wife because he did not want her to leave the house.

The accused allegedly hacked away at his wife, known as ‘Paper Lady,’ and later turned his attention to three children in the home, which included attorney-at-law Wanda Fortune